What Toner Does the HP LaserJet Pro M1536dnf Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP LaserJet Pro M1536dnf MFP uses HP 78A black toner, part number CE278A, rated for about 2,100 pages. There is no high-yield "78X" — 78A is the only cartridge made for this machine — and the imaging drum is built into the cartridge, so there is no separate drum to replace.
The same cartridge covers the M1537, M1538 and M1539 variants as well as the LaserJet P1566 and P1606dn.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP LaserJet Pro M1536dnf
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (20%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (18%) | 94 | About 1.5¢ per page all-in with our compatible 78A toner (2,100 pages; drum built in). |
| Reliability (18%) | 90 | No recurring hardware or connection complaints in owner reviews. |
| Features (11%) | 81 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Ethernet, fast (20+ ppm). No touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither owner ratings nor a published expert score, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.
Discontinued. HP stopped selling the M1536dnf years ago (Icecat lists its end of life as August 2014), and HP's drivers stop at Windows 10. This score rates it for current owners.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The toner, pictured
HP 78A Toner
HP 78A JumboOur own compatible toner, photographed in-house.
HP 78A toner at a glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Page Yield (ISO) | Drum | High Yield? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 78A Black | CE278A | 2,100 pages | Integrated | None exists |
| HP 78A Dual Pack | CE278D | 2 x 2,100 pages | Integrated | — |
Two thousand pages is modest for a 26 ppm office multifunction, and it is the main weakness of this otherwise capable machine. Since HP never offered a larger cartridge, the only lever on running cost is what you pay per cartridge.
How to replace the toner in an M1536dnf
- Open the print-cartridge door on the front of the printer.
- Grip the handle on the cartridge and pull it straight out toward you.
- Unpack the new CE278A and rock it gently from side to side five or six times.
- Break the tab on the left end of the cartridge and pull the entire sealing tape out in one motion.
- Slide the cartridge into the printer along the guides until it seats.
- Close the door. Print a configuration page from the control panel to confirm the new supply is recognized.
Troubleshooting an M1536dnf
- ADF pulls multiple sheets or scans crooked. The most common complaint on the M1530 family. The ADF pickup roller and separation pad wear out and are replaceable as a kit — treat it as maintenance, not a fault.
- Copies are streaked but prints from the computer are clean. The problem is on the scan side. Clean the flatbed glass and, importantly, the narrow strip of glass at the left edge that the ADF scans through.
- Faded print. Rock the cartridge to redistribute toner and confirm EconoMode is off in the driver.
- Repeating marks down the page. The drum is inside the cartridge, so a new cartridge is the fix.
- ePrint / email-to-print no longer works. This is not a fault with your printer. HP is retiring ePrint: HP says it isn't supported on printers released after fall 2020, and an HP agent has called it a sunset. On this older model it is unreliable at best, so print over the network or by USB instead.
Which printers use HP 78A toner?
- LaserJet Pro M1536dnf MFP
- LaserJet Pro M1537dnf, M1538dnf, M1539dnf MFP
- LaserJet P1566
- LaserJet P1606dn and P1606 series
If you are managing a small fleet, the 78A is a convenient cartridge to standardize on across these models. See our full Find Ink by Printer directory for other models and their cartridges.
What LaserJet Pro M1536dnf owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, HP's support forum and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Does the M1536dnf have Wi-Fi?
No. It connects by one USB 2.0 port or one 10/100 Ethernet port only.
Can it scan two-sided originals from the feeder?
No. The 35-sheet document feeder scans one side at a time. Two-sided output is for printing only.
Will it work with Windows 11?
An HP Community reply says HP's driver support for the M1536dnf ends at Windows 10.
How many fax pages can it store?
HP rates the fax memory at up to 400 pages, with 120 speed dials.
It seems slower than HP's rated 26 pages a minute. Is something wrong?
Probably not. Trusted Reviews measured about 16 pages a minute and an 11-second first page in its testing, against HP's 26 ppm and 8.5 seconds.
LaserJet Pro M1536dnf quirks worth knowing
- Copying is much slower than printing: HP rates it at 15 copies a minute at best quality, against 26 pages a minute for printing.
- HP recommends 500–2,000 pages a month, with an 8,000-page maximum. At the top of that range, a 2,100-page 78A cartridge lasts less than a month.
- Paper handling is a 250-sheet tray plus a 10-sheet priority slot, and the document feeder takes originals up to legal size.
FAQ
What toner does the HP LaserJet Pro M1536dnf use?
HP 78A black toner, part number CE278A, rated for approximately 2,100 pages.
Is there a high-yield 78X cartridge?
No. HP never produced a high-yield version of the 78A.
Does the M1536dnf have a separate drum unit?
No. The drum is integrated into the CE278A cartridge.
Can I use HP 85A instead?
No. HP 85A (CE285A) fits the P1102w and M1212nf. The two cartridges are close cousins but are not interchangeable across these models — go by the part number, not the shape.
Why has HP ePrint stopped working on my M1536dnf?
HP is winding ePrint down. HP says it isn't supported on printers released after fall 2020 and has described it as a sunset, while owners of some older printers have reported it still working. Treat it as unreliable on the M1536dnf and print over the network or by USB.
Will compatible toner void my warranty?
No. In the US, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act means using third-party supplies does not void a printer warranty, and this model has no firmware that blocks them.
Other printers that use HP 78A toner
More HP ink guides: HP LaserJet Pro M402n · HP LaserJet Pro MFP M426fdw · HP LaserJet Pro M201dw · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Brother HL-L2460DW — CastleScore 90
- Brother MFC-L2820DW — CastleScore 90
- HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw — CastleScore 82
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 10, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP toner cartridges? Shop HP toner cartridges at Castle Ink. Compatible, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.